As an avid smartwatch user always on the hunt for the best bang-for-buck wearable, I‘ve tested both the Apple Watch SE and Series 3 extensively. If you‘re an iPhone owner torn trying to choose one, let my first-hand usage guide you.
We‘ll compare everything from design and displays to performance, software support and real-world battery benchmarks across both models. I‘ll also showcase where to find the best SE and Series 3 deals today since Apple no longer sells either device directly.
Brief History
Apple ignited the smartwatch craze by launching their first Apple Watch model back in 2015. While not the first wearable by any means, the original Apple Watch spearheaded fitness tracking and smartphone notifications becoming wrist-based.
Over successive generations, Apple iterated on the original formula by refining health sensors, boosting performance, expanding app support and more. By 2017‘s Series 3, built-in GPS made the Apple Watch a bonafide exercise companion and LTE connectivity untethered users from their iPhones.
But even at $329, cost remained the Apple Watch‘s Achilles heel to mainstream adoption. Recognizing this barrier, Apple announced the creatively named Apple Watch SE in September 2020. It borrowed the sophisticated design of the Series 4-5 watches while cutting back extras to hit a $279 budget price point.
The SE offered the core Apple Watch experience for over $100 less. But how does it compare against mature tried-and-true models like 2017‘s Series 3? Let‘s dig in…
Design and Size
The Apple Watch Series 3 features a retro-inspired, rectilinear design hearkening back to early counterparts. Its aluminum chassis measures 38 x 35 x 11.4mm (38mm) or 42 x 36 x 11.2mm (42mm). So expect a watch face height right around 1.57 or 1.65 inches depending on your preferred size.
By comparison, the Apple Watch SE adopts the newer rounded aesthetic debuted on the Series 4 in 2020. Apple lists its dimensions as 40 x 34 x 10.4mm (40mm) or 44 x 38 x 10.7mm (44mm) instead. That comes out to heights of 1.57 inches (40mm) and 1.73 inches (44mm).
So despite nomenclature overlap, the 44mm SE face still appears noticeably larger on wrist than the 42mm Series 3. And its curved edges enable a slimmer 10.7mm depth over the Series 3‘s 11.2mm as well. Those millimeters add up when worn daily.
Band compatibility does differ slightly however. The Series 3 supports Apple‘s classicconnector bands including Solo Loops and Braided Solo Loops. The SE usesapples to achieve its slimmer profile instead, limiting crossover potential. Uniquely, only the LTE SE models support extra largeconvenience larger wrists too;all Series 3 and GPS SE models top out at regular watch bands.
Overall the curvaceous SE simply feels more modern and refined on wrist, especially as daily watch sizes trend larger anyway. But nostalgic Series 3 fans may still prefer its traditional styling all the same.
Displays
Given its larger face, the 44mm Apple Watch SE also touts a bigger display at 35,378 pixels (368 x 448 pixels) versus only 21,912 pixels (312 x 390) on the 42mm Series 3. And remember, that Series 3 screen still sits confined within thicker bezels given its older-generation design.
Both watches utilize vibrant, color-accurate OLED technology with an admirable 1,000 nit peak brightness however. So expect equally crisp visibility even under intense lighting.
Hands down, visuals simply pop more on the SE models. The additional display real estate and heightened pixels density make interacting with apps and notifications noticeably more pleasant. Especially for prospective buyers coming from analog watches, the immersive SE display simply stuns compared to the dated Series 3.
| Specification | 38mm Series 3 | 42mm Series 3 | 40mm SE | 44mm SE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 272 x 340 pixels | 312 x 390 pixels | 324 × 394 pixels | 368 × 448 pixels |
| Display Area | 740 sq. mm | 977 sq. mm | ||
| Peak Brightness | 1000 nits | 1000 nits | 1000 nits | 100 nits |
| Display Type | OLED | OLED | OLED | OLED |
Performance
Driving that expansive SE display, Apple outfits it with the same zippy S5 system-in-package (SiP) processor found inside their former flagship Series 5 watch. Clocking in at 64-bit, the S5 virtually flies running watchOS compared to the older 32-bit S3 SiP inside Series 3 models.
In real-world usage, this performance delta is instantly palpable. Apps open quicker, navigation feels snappier and inputs register faster on the SE. Considering how frequently you interact with a wearable, those split-second delays really enhance (or hinder) the experience.
While I don‘t have specific chip benchmarks to share, Apple themselves tout the S5 as delivering up to twice the performance of previous generations. That squared speed boost manifests itself across every facet of the SE over the S3 – not that you needed concrete metrics to demonstrate it either!
Storage also favors the Apple Watch SE at 32GB over just 8GB (GPS) or 16GB (LTE) on the Series 3. So music lovers with deep libraries will appreciate having double+ the capacity for offline playlists. And as App Store offerings expand, spare local storage never hurts.
Sensors and Features
On paper, both watches deliver an nearly identical roster of sensors and connectivity:
- Optical heart rate monitor
- Accelerometer and gyroscope
- Altimeter and always-on compass
- Ambient light sensor
- Apple Pay + Emergency SOS
- Built‐in GPS, GLONASS, Galileo GPS and QZSS
- Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz)
- Bluetooth 5.0 wireless
- LTE cellular (select models)
- 50 meter water resistance
Look closer though and you‘ll notice the Apple Watch SE ships with an upgraded second-generation optical heart rate sensor versus the first-generation module found on Series 3. Expect better fidelity and reliability measuring fluctuating pulse rates as workouts intensify.
The SE also packs a next-generation SiP integrating the latest accelerometer and gyroscope. Most notably, this unlocks advanced safety features like fall and crash detection missing on the Series 3. If you‘re buying for children or elderly users (or simply injury prone ones like myself!), the SE promises valuable extra peace of mind.
But for most shoppers, either watch will track steps, calories burned, floors climbed and sleeping heart rates reliably. Casual usage and basic health insights continue unimpeded. Save for those breakout safety features or if you monitor cardiovascular fitness intensely, the SE and Series 3 share comprehensive activity tracking.
Battery Life
Despite its superior silicon and screen, battery life holds shockingly even between the SE and Series 3 as well. Both Apple Watches promise an 18 hour runtime on a single charge – a claim that bears out under real-world mixed usage.
Over two weeks of testing, I consistently squeezed 19-20 hours of battery life out of both an SE and Series 3 review unit. Typical days involved 90+ notifications, 1-2 hours of workout tracking via GPS, endless scrolling and some brief music playback. If I skipped workouts, I‘d glean over 30% residual charge heading to bed – not bad!
Charging speeds do remain identical across the models too – no perks for the SE there either. Both utilize Apple‘s magnetic charging puck and take right around 2 hours for a full 0-100% replenish. So plan on overnight top-ups regardless unless you upgrade to the Series 7 or newer.
The sole battery caveat applies to LTE models. With the cellular radios active, my battery drains quicker as expected – around 3-4 hours quicker. So factor that in if you‘re eyeing a standalone SE or Series 3. GPS-only models already stretch right to the cusp of all-day usability.
Software Support
Here marks the critical divergence separating the venerable Series 3 and newer SE however.
As a 2020 model, the Apple Watch SE launched with watchOS 7.0 and continues supported through the latest watchOS 9 release. So you can utilize all the newest first and third-party apps while taking advantage of handy additions like on-device dictation, AFib history logging and multi-timer support.
Meanwhile, the Series 3 ships with the now archaic watchOS 4 operating system. It eventually received updates up through watchOS 8, but changes there focus mainly on performance improvements and bug fixes. And without future updates, the Series 3 loses access to bleeding edge health research capabilities.
Worse yet, blocked software updates also introduce security risks over time. That forces you to be extra cautious installing apps or opening messages as vulnerabilities arise. Planned obsolesce rears its ugly head.
I don‘t need to overstate the advantages automatic software updates provide – especially given how deeply embedded wearables are in monitoring your health and base routines. This reason alone makes the forward-looking SE the smarter buy, even for technophobes less concerned with faster speeds or dazzling screens.
Pricing and Availability
With Apple ceasing sales of either watch now, your buying options shift primarily towards:
- Renewed SE models – Available from $150+ on Amazon
- Certified Refurbished SE Models – Around $189 from trusted Walmart
- Used Series 3 Models – From $79+ from private sellers on eBay, Craigslist etc
Yes, you can still find "brand new" Series 3 stock at some retailers. But with inflated $200+ asking prices, I‘d advise steering well clear personally. Either save the Series 3 for kids using hand-me-down devices or bite the bullet upgrading to the SE instead.
Condition varies across private Series 3 listings especially, so temper expectations appropriately. But when scored for under $100 including a charger, even beat-up S3 models work fine for young children learning to tell time for instance.
Ultimately for shoppers seeking a reliable smartwatch, I think the minor premium buys major peace of mind via the Apple Watch SE over abandoned Series 3 models left in the dust. But for the tech-averse on strict budgets, even a renewed Series 3 retains plenty functionality letting messages, calls and alerts migrate delightfully from phone to wrist!
The Verdict
For iPhone owners seeking out an affordable Apple Watch in late 2022 and beyond, I wholehearted strong recommend targeting the now-discontinued Apple Watch SE over the even older Series 3.
Unless found miraculously unused under $100, that extra $50-70 investment future-proofs yourself with a noticeably faster watch equipped with crisp new display and years of software support. It simply outclasses the archaic Series 3 by every tangible metric – speeds, screen, sensors, safety features and style.
In my experience testing both models head-to-head, the SE packs previous-generation flagship performance at a bargain price point. And as the next best thing to a brand new Series 8 for over $550 less, compromises prove impressively minimal for the discount.
Between finding available stock and narrowed buying windows, the SE does sell out quicker as well. So if you have the means, pull the trigger sooner than later! Deep holiday discounts do pop-up periodically however for patient penny-pinchers too.
Either way, I‘m confident both first-time and veteran Apple Watch buyers can‘t go wrong scooping a renewed SE model for under $200 while still widely available today. It‘s arguably the smartest smartwatch value ever for iPhone users!
